Conferring of the PhDThe Provost will ask all PhD candidates to rise and the President will confer the degree. Led by the cadet marshal, candidates will file to the platform, one row at a time. There, each candidate will receive the hood, cross the platform, receive his/her diploma from the President as his/her name is called, return to his/her seat, and be seated. As a courtesy to all others receiving diplomas, we ask that all PhD graduates remain for the duration of the ceremony.

Conferring of Other DegreesThe Provost will ask the graduates from each college to rise and will present them to the President. When all colleges have been presented and are standing, the President will confer the degrees.

Singing of Carmen OhioGraduates and guests will be led in the singing of the alma mater.

Awarding of DiplomasGraduates will rise by rows and move to the diploma boxes as directed by the cadet marshals. Except for the PhDs, graduates' names are not called as the diploma is received.

A note about diploma issues: While every effort will be made to ensure that each graduate will receive the correct diploma during the ceremony, if they do not, the graduate should go to 281 West Lane Avenue, first floor, immediately following the ceremony. Limited assistance will be provided there for diploma problems (misspelled name, wrong diploma) from 2:30 to 5:00 PM on commencement day.

A graduate may receive a letter instead of a diploma at commencement for one of two reasons: 1) the graduate has a "hold" on their record and should follow the instructions received for resolving the hold, or 2) the processing and certification of the degree requirements was incomplete as of 12:00 PM (noon) on Saturday, May 4, 2019, and the university cannot release the diploma without additional action on the graduate’s part.

Questions about academic eligibility to receive a diploma must be referred to the college office or academic unit, which may be contacted on the Monday following commencement. Once degree certification questions are resolved, contact the Student Service Center at (614) 292-0300 or ssc@osu.edu about claiming the diploma, and be sure to explain that a letter was received instead of a diploma at commencement.

If a graduate notices a spelling error in the name on the diploma after commencement day, follow the instructions for a diploma correction.

RecessionalAfter receiving their diploma, each graduate will remain in line. Lines will proceed to the south end of Ohio Stadium to disperse outside. To avoid congestion, graduates should move away from the exit portals as rapidly as possible.

As a courtesy to all those attending commencement, graduates and guests are asked to refrain from using horns and other noisemakers during the ceremony.